So it passed in the negative and the word was struck out. In lieu of the report the following substitute was moved by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, seconded by Mr. [Nathaniel] Scudder,

That every Thursday, immediately after reading the journal, the House proceed to consider the reports of the Board of Treasury and other committees on finance,

Question put, resolved in the affirmative.

A motion was made by Mr. [Roger] Sherman, seconded by Mr. [James] Lovell, to strike out the word "every", and after Thursday insert the word "next".

Question put, resolved in the affirmative.

On the question,

Resolved, That Thursday next, immediately after reading the journal, the House proceed to consider the reports of the Board of Treasury and other committees on finance.

On motion of Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, seconded by Mr. [Thomas] Burke,

Resolved, That when a motion is made to bring on or postpone any particular business, no member be allowed to speak more than once.

Resolved, That four thousand loan office certificates of one thousand dollars each, of the same tenor and date as the last emission of such certificates, be struck and sent to the several commissioners of the continental loan office, under the direction of the Board of Treasury; and that as many certificates of the lower denominations already struck, as amount to four millions of dollars, be retained in the hands of the treasurer of loans until the further orders of Congress.1

Ordered, That Mr. F[rancis] Lewis have leave of absence. Resolved, That Captain John Helm be appointed one of the signers of the continental bills of credit.

The Committee on the Treasury report,

That information has been given to the Board of Treasury that Alexander McKallaher, the deputy commissary of the hospital at the Yellow Springs, has made a practice of exchanging the hospital stores, such as sugar, molasses, &c. for butter, poultry, eggs, &c. for his own and the doctors' table: That he keep a blooded horse in the guard house, and a mare and colt; and a hostler at his quarters, and another at the hospital, that he entertains all people who come to the hospitals with wine and toddy, alledging that he is allowed to

1 This paragraph, and those on McKallaher, are in a report of the Committee on the Treasury, dated April 16 and 17, in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 136, III, folio 255;

do so by Congress or Doctor Shippen, the informant is not certain which.

That those circumstances have given occasion to great clamours among the inhabitants in the neighbourhood.

That it is a convalescent hospital: That they have repaired the Farmer's houses in the neighbourhood for their own convenience at the public expence; Whereupon,

Ordered, That the information from the Committee on the Treasury, relative to Alexander McKallaher be referred to the Medical Committee, and that they take such measures for ascertaining the facts; and if properly supported for bringing him to a tryal, as they shall judge expedient.'

AT A BOARD OF WAR, April 27th, 1779.

Present, Col. Pickering and Mr. Peters

Col George Morgan having represented to Congress, that it was impossible for him to do the business of his department at the Commission ofpr cent allowed him as Deputy Commissary General of purchases for the Western District, and desiring either that the Commission be increased or an adequate salary fixed. The Board taking the same into consideration, beg leave to inform Congress:

That not knowing the views of Congress with respect to the compensation to be allowed to the Officers of the civil Departments, it is impossible for us to form a determinate report on the subject; but we beg leave to submit the following, that they may be pleased to act therein as they shall deem most proper.

That from the scattered situation of the settlements in the Western district; and the consequential difficulties in obtaining the supplies of provisions therein, Col Geo: Morgan, Deputy Commissary General of Purchases for that district be allowed a Commission of pr Cent, on all purchases made by him for the Army of the United States. Or-That in consideration of the peculiar difficulties attending the purchases of provisions in the Western District, Colonel George

The committee's recommendation was that "an enquiry ought to be made into the truth of the said charges, without delay; and that on proof thereof the parties charged ought to be suspended and brought to trial." The resolution adopted was an amendment offered by Elbridge Gerry, to be found in his writing on folio 2594. The name is written McKallaster in the Journals, and McKallaher in the committee report.

Morgan, Deputy Commissary General of Purchases for that district be allowed dollars per month, as a compensation for his trouble and expences in making the necessary purchases of provisions for the use of the troops stationed at the posts depending upon him for supplies.

That each of his assistants be allowed

two rations per day.

That his clerk be allowed

pr day.

dollars per month and

dollars pr month and two rations

We have enclosed a paper signed by Colonel Morgan, which will shew Congress his expectations and his Ideas of the appointments necessary for the persons employed under him. We beg leave to add that a Commission of 2 p Cent on the probable expenditures for provisions in this Department for the year to come, will amount to twice as much as the pay Colonel Morgan asks for himself, of thirty dollars a day for pay and all travelling expences. He informs the Board that he would be extremely sorry to throw any embarrasments in the way of public business; on the contrary, that he is anxious to have the supplies for the Western Department procured; but cannot continue to conduct that business on his present allowance to his certain very great loss; that nevertheless, if the terms he proposes are not agreeable, he will exert himself to the utmost in making the necessary purchases until Congress shall appoint a proper person to Succeed him, so that the Department may not suffer from a want of provisions; hoping in this case that such appointment would not be long postponed; but for this purpose an immediate supply of money is indispensably necessary, but which he has not yet been able to obtain of the Commissary, Generals Agent, who says he cannot obtain it from the Treasury. He further represents, that so much time has already elapsed since his application to the Commissary Generals Agent for money it is out of his power to fulfil the orders he received from the Commander in Chief in the time limited; and that a longer delay will probably put it wholly out of his power to furnish the requisite supplies for the ensuing Campaign.1

1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 241. The letter of Colonel Morgan, dated April 27, is on folio 245.

A motion was made by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, seconded by Mr. [John] Penn;

That a sum of money in specie be immediately sent to the Commander in Chief, for secret services.

In lieu of which a substitute was moved by Mr. [Henry] Laurens, seconded by Mr. [Nathaniel] Scudder in the words following, viz:

That the President write to the Commander in Chief and enquire whether he is in want of specie for secret services.

Question put, to admit the substitute. Passed in the affirmative.

An amendment was then moved by Mr. S[amuel] Adams, seconded by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, instead of the words "'enquire whether, &c.", to insert, "inform him that if he is in want of specie for secret services, he may draw for any sum or sums to the amount of two thousand guineas upon the treasurer, who will pay the same."

Question on the amendment, passed in the affirmative. On the question to agree to the motion as amended, Resolved, That the President write to the Commander in Chief, and inform him that if he is in want of specie for secret services, he may draw for any sum or sums to the amount of two thousand guineas on the treasurer, who will pay the same.1

Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.

1 The proceedings on this question of specie for Washington are taken from the Manuscript Secret Journal, no entry having been made in the regular journals.